Over the years as an entrepreneur I have tried to DO and BE all the THINGS. For the first few years I went to every event I was asked to be part of. I donated to every organization that asked.
After several years, I could no longer keep up with going to all the things, donating to all the things and being all the things. The reality is that there is just too much.
Too often I found myself exhausted and running towards FOMO (fear of missing out). I realized I couldn’t keep saying yes, FOMO was real and I craved more balance.
I craved weekends at home. I craved family fun time. I craved stillness.
I do not regret one thing I ever said yes to – exhaustion or not. I knew I needed to slow down or I was going to be slowed down and that I needed to face some fears.
Fear that we would be forgotten.
Fear of failing.
Fear of missing an event or “the person.”
Fear of letting my kids down by working extra and missing out on sporting events or school activities.
Fear that saying no to working an event would mean not enough income to pay bills.
The fear cycle was in full force. ONLY I could shift it / break it / change it. So I started looking at what I was saying yes to and started saying no a lot more.
No to events where we were just breaking even.
No to events that took me away from a family function.
No to the fear that would creep in.
I used my tools.
I wrote my gratitudes and I FACED IT EVERY SINGLE DAY. Heck y’all I STILL FACE IT ALL.
So back to this joy. The one light that kept me going was that I REALLY love my work. I love my members and all the stores that carry Grateful Grahams. I love sharing my story. I love when I feel I am having an impact in people’s lives. That kept me going and still keeps me going, but with a bit more balance.
This past week on a podcast someone said instead of having FOMO they replaced that with JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) and, well, in this season of more doing and more being I knew I had to share a glimpse of hope here with you all.
This season I wish you all more JOMO – Joy of Missing Out.
Knowing that you are not forgotten. Knowing you are worth an evening in. Knowing you are worth slowing down and putting your needs first. Knowing that you are not failing. Knowing you are enough, always enough.
XO
